Pattern of anti-malarial drugs and artemether combination therapy adherence in an institution based medical centre, Nigeria

The change in policy guidelines for treating uncomplicated malaria became necessary because the therapeutic efficacy of chloroquine and SP had deteriorated. Hence compliance is a necessity to enable effective check on malaria. This work was carried out to evaluate antimalaria drug prescription and to update its usage in line with WHO guideline on Artemeter Combination therapy in a university based medical center. We utilized descriptive, cross-sectional, retrospective study of antimalaria prescriptions purposely carried out among male and female outpatients with mean age of 22.4±2.8 at a University health facility. This comprised all outpatients prescriptions that contained at least one antimalarial drug filed from October 2018 to September 2019. Systematic sampling was used to select the prescriptions. Based on the total number of 1250 prescriptions containing at least one antimalarial drug, a sampling interval of 5 was calculated and simple balloting was used for the first pick. A total number of two hundred and fifty (250) prescriptions containing at least one antimalarial drug were selected for the study. Out of 250 antimalaria prescriptions, usage of ACT class of Artemeter lumefantrine, Artemeter Amodiaquine and Artemeter Piparaqiune were recorded at 45.6%, 10.4% and 9.6% respectively. Triple combination Artemeter lumefantrine and Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine was recorded at 20.4% while Sulphadoxine-Pyrimethamine was recorded at 4%. Combination of antimalarial drugs with antibiotics was recorded at 31.2%. This study showed compliance with National Antimalarial Treatment Guideline for the treatment of malaria infection as it regards the use of artemisinin-based combination therapy. The frequency usage of artemeter lumefantrine was proceeding among other ACTs. The frequency in co-prescription of antibiotics with anti-malaria should be guarded to comply with WHO recommendation.

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Relationship Between Patient Satisfaction and Willingness to Comply With Physicians’ Recommendation in Referral Surgical Outpatient Clinic in Nigeria

Journal of Patient Experience ◽

10.1177/2374373520942402 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (6) ◽

pp. 1556-1562

Author(s):

KE Okonta ◽

DS Ogaji

Keyword(s):

Patient Satisfaction ◽

Outpatient Clinic ◽

Short Form ◽

Drug Prescription ◽

University Teaching ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Satisfaction With Care ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

The Relationship ◽

Patient Willingness

The relationship between patient satisfaction with surgical care and their willingness to comply with doctors’ recommendations has not been studied in the country. This study determined the relationship between ambulatory patients’ satisfaction with care and their willingness to adhere to the surgeons’ recommendations in the surgical outpatient clinic (SOPC) of the University Teaching Hospital. This analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 490 adult respondents at the SOPC selected through a systematic sampling method with a sample interval of 1:2. The short form of the Patient Satisfaction Questionnaire with 7 domains and tool developed for patient willingness to comply with surgeons’ recommendations were used. Descriptive and inferential analyses were performed, and P values of <.05 were considered significant. A total of 466 respondents’ data were analyzed, giving a response rate of 95.1%. About 52.8% were males and 47.2% were females. The associations between domains of patient satisfaction and willingness to surgical instructions were mostly weak and nonsignificant. Their satisfaction with communication with the surgeons was the most consistent predictor of patient willingness and showed significant relationships with their willingness to accept follow-up visits ( P = .002), drug prescription ( P < .001), and further investigation ( P < .001). Access/convenience and general satisfaction were significantly associated with their willingness to recommend the surgery clinic to close friends and relatives. Patient satisfaction with care has a significant relationship with their willingness to adhere to surgical recommendations.

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Influence of Family Structure and Functionality on Immunization Status of Infants Attending GOPC of BMC Saki

Research Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.4314/rejhs.v8i3.2 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 163-174

Author(s):

A.I. Bolaji ◽

T.O. Ojebode ◽

O.S. Adekanye ◽

A.O. Bolaji

Keyword(s):

Family Structure ◽

Medical Center ◽

Sampling Technique ◽

Family Type ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

P Value ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Immunization Status ◽

Study Population ◽

Family Functionality

Introduction: Vaccine-preventable diseases are endemic in Nigeria, and contribute greatly to childhood morbidities and mortalities. Good family structure has been reported to improve children's wellbeing, health and eating habit, but the contribution of family structure together with family functionality on immunization status has not been documented. Overall, the goal of the research was to determine the level of immunization status in the study population, assess their knowledge of immunization and determine what influence family structure and functionality have on children's immunization status.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in 2016 in the General outpatient clinic (GOPC) of Baptist Medical Centre (BMC), Saki, Oyo State. Family APGAR Scale and self-design questionnaire were used to collect data from 299 respondents using systematic sampling technique. A SPSS (version 21) was used for the analysis.Results: Our results showed that 82.9% of the respondents were fully immunized and 98% had knowledge about Immunization. Majority of the respondents came from functional families, accounting for 85.6% of cases. The following factors were found to be statistically significantly associated with immunization status: family functionality (X2 = 101.694, P = 0.000), family type (p value =0.000), family size (p value = 0.000), ethnic group (p value = 0.000) and number of children (P value = 0.000)Conclusion: Our findings showed that there is an adequate knowledge of immunization in the study population, and that a child's immunization status is significantly influenced by the family structure and functionality. However, given the fact that this is a single, hospital-based study, several multi-center studies would have to be employed not just to validate this conclusion but also to inform policy making. Keywords: Immunization status, family structure, family functionality, vaccine, health facility, Nigeria French Title: Influence de la structure familiale et de la fonctionnalité sur le statut de vaccination des nourrissons assistant au GOPC de BMC, Saki Les morts évitables par la vaccination restent endémiques et contribuent de manière significative à la morbidité infantile au Nigéria et il a été reconnu qu'une bonne structure familiale améliore le bien-être, la santé et les habitudes alimentaires des enfants, mais la contribution de la structure et de la fonctionnalité de la famille au statut vaccinal n'est pas encore établie. Le but de cette étude est de déterminer le niveau d'immunisation des répondants, d'évaluer leurs connaissances en matière d'immunisation et de déterminer l'influence de la structure et de la fonctionnalité de la famille sur l'état de vaccination. Méthode de l'étude: Une étude descriptive transversale a été menée en 2016 dans la clinique externe générale (GOPC) du Baptist Medical Center (BMC), Saki, dans l'état d'Oyo. L'échelle familiale APGAR et le questionnaire d'auto-conception ont été employés pour recueillir des données auprès de 299 répondants à l'aide d'une technique d'échantillonnage systématique. Un SPSS (version 21) a été utilisé pour l'analyse. Résultats de l'étude: Les résultats ont révélé que la majorité (82,9%) des répondants était entièrement immunisée et que 98% avaient des connaissances sur la vaccination. La majorité des répondants (85,6%) étaient issus de familles fonctionnelles. La fonctionnalité de la famille était statistiquement significative sur le statut vaccinal (X2 = 101,694, P = 0,000) ainsi que sur certaines composantes de la structure familiale: type de famille (P = 0,000), taille de la famille (P = 0,000), groupe ethnique (P = 0,000), et nombre d'enfants (P = 0,000)Conclusion: Les répondants avaient une connaissance adéquate de la vaccination. De plus, la fonctionnalité familiale et la structure familiale influencent le statut vaccinal des nourrissons. Par conséquent, d'autres études devraient être menées sur l'influence de la fonctionnalité et de la structure de la famille sur le statut vaccinal en utilisant une approche multicentrique. Mots-clés: Immunisation, fonctionnalité familiale, structure familiale, vaccine

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856. Assessment of Hand Hygiene amongst Health Care Professionals at Jimma University Medical Center

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1045 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S468-S468

Author(s):

Leigh R Berman ◽

Meredith Kavalier ◽

Beshea G Deressa ◽

Daniel Yilma ◽

Getnet Tesfaw ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Systems Engineering ◽

Health Care Professionals ◽

Medical Center ◽

Compliance Rate ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Systematic Sampling ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Significant Difference ◽

Jimma University

Abstract Background Lack of hand hygiene (HH) amongst healthcare workers (HCWs) contributes to healthcare associated infections and the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms. We assessed HCW HH knowledge, attitudes, and compliance using WHO tools and applied the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety (SEIPS) model in interviews to help guide and increase sustainability of HH interventions. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study at Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC) in Jimma, Ethiopia. We assessed HCW’s HH knowledge and attitudes using questionnaires adapted from WHO resources via systematic sampling. Observations of HH practices at WHO’s 5 Moments of HH were conducted by non-identified, trained observers via systematic sampling. 22 semi-structured interviews were conducted via convenience sampling with HCWs using an interview guide based on the SEIPS model. Results We observed 1,386 HH moments and found a compliance rate of 9.38%, with compliance highest after contact with patient surroundings (27.92%) compared to the other four HH moments (1.77 - 9.57%). Of 251 survey participants, 13.6% had prior HH training and 69.9% reported routine HH compliance. The average knowledge score was 61.4%, with no significant difference between participants that identified as trained vs untrained (p=0.41). 68% of interview participants stated they were unaware of JUMC’s Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) team and are more likely to perform HH if a patient appears infectious. Interview participants cited multiple barriers to HH (table 1). Table 1 Conclusion Baseline HH compliance and knowledge were low despite perceived compliance and regardless of prior HH training. Relatively higher compliance after patient contact may be due to perceptions of patient infectiousness. Utilizing the SEIPS model as an adjunct to WHO HH guidelines has provided actionable items upon which the JUMC IPC team can focus to improve HH practices: providing a sustainable supply of alcohol hand rub, ongoing HH education targeting knowledge deficits, and enhanced IPC presence and HH monitoring. Disclosures Meredith Kavalier, MD, University of Wisconsin-Madison Global Health Institute (Grant/Research Support)

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Evaluation of antimalarial prescription pattern and susceptibility of Plasmodium falciparum isolates in Kaduna, Nigeria

International Journal of Biological and Chemical Sciences ◽

10.4314/ijbcs.v13i7.34 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 3398-3410

Author(s):

O. Ifeoluwa Akanni ◽

J.O. Ehinmidu ◽

R.O. Bolaji

Keyword(s):

Plasmodium Falciparum ◽

Combination Therapy ◽

Antimalarial Drug ◽

Drug Prescription ◽

Artemisinin Combination Therapy ◽

Therapy Resistance ◽

Antimalarial Drugs ◽

In Vitro Susceptibility

Nigeria carries the highest burden of malaria in terms of morbidity and mortality. This is compounded by continuous resistance of Plasmodium falciparum to antimalarial drugs. This study was designed to evaluate the profile of malaria patients’ antimalarial drug prescription and in vitro susceptibility of P. falciparum isolates to commonly prescribed antimalarial drugs in Kaduna, Nigeria. Three years’ records of patients antimalarial drug prescriptions were collated (2013 to 2015) and the in vitro antimalarial agent susceptibility was determined for 28 clinical isolates using WHO Mark III microtest. Artemisinin-based combination therapy (ACT) was the most prescribed antimalarial for the period under review (92.3-93.7%). Among the ACTs, Artemether-lumefantrine was most prescribed. Of the 28 P. falciparum isolates evaluated, 3 (10.71%) were resistant to chloroquine with a median IC50 of 4.82μM (4.60-8.14μM), while five (17.86%) were resistant to mefloquine with a median IC50 of 25μM (10.3-41μM), 7(25.00%) to artemether with a median IC50 of 2.69μM (2.09-8.77μM), 9 (32.14%) to artesunate-mefloquine combination with a median IC50 of 9.0μM (7.98-35μM) and to artesunate, 11(39.29%) were resistant with a median IC50 of 2.4μM (1.56-5.65μM). This result shows a decline in resistance of P. falciparum to chloroquine compared to period prior to artemisinin-combination therapy as well as reduced susceptibility to artesunate and artemether. Further in vitro and in vivo monitoring will be required to inform antimalarial drug policy change.Keywords: Antimalarial, Artemisinin-combination therapy, resistance, susceptibility, microtest.

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The Cross-Sectional Evaluation of the Use of Artemisinin-Based Combination Therapy for Treatment of Malaria Infection at a Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria

Journal of Tropical Medicine ◽

10.1155/2018/2025858 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 2018 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Roland Nnaemeka Okoro ◽

Muslim Olakunle Jamiu

Keyword(s):

Antimalarial Drug ◽

Malaria Infection ◽

Management Practices ◽

Treatment Guideline ◽

Significant Risk ◽

Significant Risk Factor ◽

Tertiary Hospital ◽

Antimalarial Drugs ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Simple Method

In 2005, Nigeria changed its antimalarial drug policy to Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs) for the treatment of malaria infection, and it is imperative for prescribers to strictly comply with this guideline to harmonize malaria management practices within the country. This study aims to evaluate prescribers’ adherence with the National Antimalarial Treatment Guideline (NATG) in the treatment of malaria infections and to describe the determinants of antimalarial drugs coprescription with antibiotics at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. A cross-sectional, retrospective study of antimalarial drug prescriptions of one-year period of 2013 was conducted. A simple method for assessing the quality of drug prescribing (DU90%) was adopted. Logistic regression was used to predict antimalarial drugs coprescription with antibiotics. Overall, 95.8% of the total prescriptions contained ACTs, out of which 80.8% were Artemether/Lumefantrine. However, adherence to NATG was 88.2% with an adjusted value of 100.0%. Age was the only predictor for antimalarial drugs coprescription with antibiotics. This study showed high concordance with NATG at the studied hospital. Age less than 5 years is a significant risk factor for antimalarial drugs coprescription with antibiotics.

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Cut off value of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predicting metabolic syndrome

Journal of Medicine and Pharmacy ◽

10.34071/jmp.2019.6_7.10 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 68-73

Author(s):

Trong Nghia Nguyen ◽

Thi Nhan Nguyen ◽

Thi Dua Dao

Keyword(s):

Metabolic Syndrome ◽

Medical Center ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Control Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Hydroxyvitamin D ◽

The Metabolic Syndrome ◽

25 Hydroxyvitamin D ◽

Key Words Metabolic Syndrome ◽

And Control

Background: The metabolic syndrome is a constellation of cardiometabolic risk factors that tend to cluster together in affected individuals more often than predicted by chance. The presence of the metabolic syndrome substantially increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease, and is associated with a range of adverse clinical outcomes, many of which are closely associated with aging. Current estimates suggest that approximately 20 - 25% of the world’s population is affected by the metabolic syndrome. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome rises with age and more than 45% of people aged over 60 years have the metabolic syndrome. Recent studies show that low vitamin D status is very common in the world and this is a risk factor of metabolic syndrome. Objective: (1) Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in subjects with metabolic syndrome. (2) Cut off value of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predicting metabolic syndrome. Material and method: A cross-sectional study with control group on 318 adult subjects for health examinations at International Medical Center at Hue Central Hospital, including 139 subjects with metabolic syndrome and control group of 179 healthy subjects. Metabolic syndrome was defined according to the IDF, NHLBI, AHA, WHF, IAS, IASO (2009). Plasma hydroxyvitamin D concentration was measured using chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay. Reciever operating characteristic (ROC) curve were generated to assess sensitivity and specificity for different cut off value of 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predicting metabolic syndrome. Results: Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration in subjects with metabolic syndrome was 26.4 ng/ml, incidence of plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency (59.7%) was significantly higher than in control group (23.5%) (p < 0.001). The optimal cut off point for 25-OH-D concentration for predictor of metabolic syndrome as 26.4 ng/ml (AUC=0.657, sensitivity=53.4%, specificity=71.6%). Conclusion: In 139 subjects with metabolic syndrome, the plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration was 26.4 ng/ml and the incidence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency in the metabolic syndrome group was 59.7%. The optimal cut off point for plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration for predictor of metabolic syndrome as 26.4 ng/ml. Key words: Metabolic syndrome, 25-hydroxyvitamin D

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HUBUNGAN GAYA KEPEMIMPINAN KEPALA RUANGAN DENGAN MOTIVASI KERJA PERAWAT DI RUANG RAWAT INAP RUMAH SAKIT KUNINGAN MEDICAL CENTER

National Nursing Conference ◽

10.34305/nnc.v1i1.134 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 1 (1) ◽

pp. 28

Author(s):

Nina Karlina ◽

Aditiya Puspanegara ◽

Moch Didik Nugraha

Keyword(s):

Medical Center ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Purposive Sampling

Kepemimpinan merupakan cara seorang pemimpin dalam mempengaruhi perilaku bawahannya agar mau bekerja sama dan bekerja secara produktif dei tercapainya tujuan dari organisasi. Gaya kepemimpinan suatu seni dan proses untuk mempengaruhi dan mengarahkan orang lan agar mereka memiliki motivasi untuk mencpai tujuan yang hendak di capai dalam situasi tertentu. Tujuan penelitian ini mengetahui hubungan gaya kepemimpinan kepala ruangan dengan motivasi kerja perawat di ruang rawat inap rumah sakit kuningan medical center. Rancangan penelitian ini adalah cross-sectional menggunakan pendekatan deskriptif analitik. Populasi penelitian ini adalah perawat pelaksana di Rumah Sakit Medical Center sebanyak 57 orang dengan teknik pengambilan sampel purposive sampling. Analisis data meliputi analisis univariat dan bivariat dengan koefisien korelasi rank spearman. Analisis univariat menunjukan bahwa sebagian besar perawat berpendapat tiga tipe gaya kepemimpinan kepala ruangan model demokratis sebanyak 51 responden (89,5%) dan memiliki motivasi sedang sebanyak 20 responden (39,2%). Analisis bivariat dengan nilai kolerasi rank spearman sebesar ρ = 0,284, yang berarti tidak ada hubungan antara gaya kepemimpinan kepala ruangan dengan motivasi kerja. Hasil penelitian disimpulkan bahwa gaya kepemimpinan demokratis, motivasi kerja tinggi, manajemen rumah sakit baik. Dengan penelitian ini disarankan kepala ruangan memenuhi faktor-faktor pendukung motivasi kerja perawat untuk mempertahankan ataupun meningkatkan motivasi kerja perawat serta kepala ruangan mampu meningkatkan gaya kepemimpinan demokratis yang sesuai dengan prosedur pelayanan sehingga mampu mendorong perawat melakukan suatu kegiatan atau pekerjaan dengan baik.

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Characteristics and risk factors associated with stroke subtypes among adult patients admitted to stroke unit of JUMC

Current Hypertension Reviews ◽

10.2174/1573402115666191121120228 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 15 ◽

Author(s):

Bekalu Getachew Gebreegziabher ◽

Tesema Etefa Birhanu ◽

Diriba Dereje Olana ◽

Behailu Terefe Tesfaye

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Stroke Unit ◽

Medical Center ◽

Data Entry ◽

Public Health Problem ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Chi Square ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Factors Associated ◽

Stroke Subtypes

Background: Stroke is a great public health problem in Ethiopia. According to reports, in-hospital stroke mortality was estimated to be 14.7% in Ethiopia. Despite this, in this country researches done on factors associated with stroke sub-types were inadequate. Objective: To assess the Characteristics and risk factors associated with stroke sub-types among patients admitted to JUMC. Methods and materials: A retrospective cross sectional study was conducted from May 2017 to May 2018 in stroke unit of Jimma University Medical Center. A total of 106 medical charts of patients diagnosed with stroke were reviewed. Checklist comprising of relevant variables was used to collect data. SPSS version 21 was employed for data entry and analysis. Chi-square test was used to point-out association and difference among stroke sub-types. The data was presented using text, tables and figures. Result: From a total of 106 patients, 67(63.2%) were men. The mean ± SD of age was 52.67±12.46 years, and no significant association was found. Of all the patients, 59(55.6%) had ischemic strokes and 47(44.4%) had hemorrhagic strokes. The most common risk factor in the patients was alcohol use with a prevalence of 69.9%. Of all the risk factors, only sex, cigarettes smoking and dyslipidemia were significantly associated to sub-types of stroke. Conclusion: Ischemic stroke was the most common subtype of stroke. Sex of patient, cigarette smoking and dyslipidemia are significantly associated with the two stroke subtypes.

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Risk factors for cerebral vasospasm in patients with aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage

Open Medicine ◽

10.1515/med-2020-0169 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 598-604

Author(s):

Valentina Opancina ◽

Snezana Lukic ◽

Slobodan Jankovic ◽

Radisa Vojinovic ◽

Milan Mijailovic

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽

Cerebral Vasospasm ◽

Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage ◽

Medical Center ◽

White Blood Cells ◽

Cerebral Aneurysms ◽

International Normalized Ratio ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional

AbstractIntroductionAneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a type of spontaneous hemorrhagic stroke, which is caused by a ruptured cerebral aneurysm. Cerebral vasospasm (CVS) is the most grievous complication of subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). The aim of this study was to examine the risk factors that influence the onset of CVS that develops after endovascular coil embolization of a ruptured aneurysm.Materials and methodsThe study was designed as a cross-sectional study. The patients included in the study were 18 or more years of age, admitted within a period of 24 h of symptom onset, diagnosed and treated at a university medical center in Serbia during a 5-year period.ResultsOur study showed that the maximum recorded international normalized ratio (INR) values in patients who were not receiving anticoagulant therapy and the maximum recorded white blood cells (WBCs) were strongly associated with cerebrovascular spasm, increasing its chances 4.4 and 8.4 times with an increase of each integer of the INR value and 1,000 WBCs, respectively.ConclusionsSAH after the rupture of cerebral aneurysms creates an endocranial inflammatory state whose intensity is probably directly related to the occurrence of vasospasm and its adverse consequences.

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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Breast Cancer Patients at a Medical Center in Taiwan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Integrative Cancer Therapies ◽

10.1177/1534735420983910 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 ◽

pp. 153473542098391

Author(s):

Chieh-Ying Chin ◽

Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽

Shin-Chung Wu ◽

Chien-Ting Liu ◽

Yun-Fang Lee ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Alternative Medicine ◽

Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Medical Center ◽

Cancer Center ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Cam Use ◽

Complementary And Alternative

Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more common in medical practice, but little is known about the concurrent use of CAM and conventional treatment. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the types of CAM used and their prevalence in a regional patient cohort with breast cancer (BC). Methods BC patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire survey on the use of CAM in southern Taiwan at an Integrative Breast Cancer Center (IBCC). The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) classification was used to group responses. Over a period of 8 months, all patients receiving treatment for cancer at the IBCC were approached. Results A total of 106 BC patients completed the survey (response rate: 79.7%). The prevalence of CAM use was 82.4%. Patients who were employed, were receiving radiotherapy and hormone therapy, and had cancer for a longer duration were more likely to use CAM ( P < .05). Multivariate analysis identified employment as an independent predictor of CAM use (OR = 6.92; 95% CI = 1.33-36.15). Dietary supplementation (n = 69, 82.1%) was the type of CAM most frequently used, followed by exercise (n = 48, 57.1%) and traditional Chinese medicine (n = 29, 34.5%). The main reason for using CAM was to ameliorate the side effects of conventional therapies. Almost half (46.4%) of these CAM users did not disclose that they were using it in medical consultations with their physicians. Most chose to use CAM due to recommendations from family and friends. Conclusion A large portion of BC patients at the IBCC undergoing anti-cancer treatment courses used CAM, but less than half discussed it with their physicians. Given the high prevalence of CAM, it would be justifiable to direct further resources toward this service so that cancer patients can benefit from a holistic approach to their treatment.

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